Riverside Brookfield High School chief to keep job

Superintendent-principal was suspended over relationship

July 20, 2008|By Joseph Ruzich, SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE

Riverside Brookfield High School's superintendent-principal, who was suspended last month while being investigated for possibly having a relationship with a school staff member, will keep his job even after the school board found that a relationship did occur.

School board officials announced the decision Thursday night and said that Superintendent-Principal Jack Baldermann will face stipulations to his recently renewed contract.

Baldermann's four-year contract has been reduced to a two-year deal, and current $240,000 annual salary will be frozen for a year, Assistant Principal Tim Scanlon said Friday. Scanlon added that the district will not reimburse him for the two-week unpaid suspension last month.

"I am very appreciative for the board and the community support," Baldermann said Friday. Baldermann would not comment about the relationship.

At a board meeting last month, Baldermann, who has been superintendent for seven years, apologized.

"I want to offer my most sincere apology for any harm I caused this district, high school and our community," he said. "I love this high school, and I think people know that."